NATIONAL BESTSELLER • She’s the city girl who refuses to be saddled with a man. He’s the cowboy who wants her anyway. From the author of the BookTok sensation Done and Dusted comes the next book in the Rebel Blue Ranch series, a small town romance featuring opposites attract and forced proximity.
The last thing Ada Hart needs is a man to take care of her. Not anymore. After failing out of her interior design program and the disaster that was her short-lived marriage, Ada clawed her way up from her rock bottom. Now, the only person she trusts is herself, and that has gotten her further than ever before. She has her own business, and one of the largest ranches in Wyoming just hired her for the most important project of her career.
When Ada arrives in Meadowlark, she finds herself in a dive bar where she can’t seem to shake the eyes of a handsome cowboy. When she leads him to the back of the bar, he leaves her with a kiss that most people can only fantasize about. She almost regrets that she’ll never see him again . . . except it turns out he’s her new boss.
Weston Ryder is a happy guy. Even happier now that the mystery woman from the bar is the interior designer for his dream project on his family’s ranch. He feels like he hit the jackpot. It’s too bad she wants absolutely nothing to do with him outside of work. Ada is convinced the pull she feels toward Wes will go away, but Wes can’t stop thinking about her. Even though walls are coming down around Rebel Blue, Ada’s walls are firmly in place.
Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love?
This is the second book in the Rebel Blue series, and I absolutely loved the “city girl meets country boy” dynamic. It blends several beloved romance tropes—opposites attract, workplace romance, cowboy charm, forced proximity—and balances them beautifully with equal parts fun, banter, angst, and emotional depth. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and genuinely hard to put down.
Ada Hart arrives in Meadowlark, Wyoming, thrilled to be working on the biggest project of her interior-design career. On her first night in town, she stops by the local bar and meets a ridiculously handsome cowboy. One impulsive, steamy moment later, she leaves alone—reminding herself she’s here for work, not distractions. But the next morning, when she walks into Rebel Blue Ranch, she discovers that her new boss is none other than the man from the bar: Weston Ryder. Not exactly the smoothest start to a professional relationship.
Ada is a talented designer eager to grow her business and build a new life far from a toxic marriage. She’s stubborn, a bit shy, and—like so many of us—carries some insecurities. She believes she’s “unlikable,” but as she slowly lets people in, especially the women at the ranch and Wes himself, she begins to realize that isn’t true. Watching her form genuine friendships for the first time is one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
Wes Ryder is the quintessential cowboy hero: kind, gentle, and deeply loyal. As the middle child, he’s long felt overlooked, so when his dream of opening a guest ranch within Rebel Blue Ranch is finally approved by his father and brothers, it feels like a turning point—his chance to create something that’s truly his own.
One of the things I appreciated most about Wes’s character is how thoughtfully the author handled his depression. It’s not a dramatic plot twist or a hurdle to overcome—it’s simply part of who he is. Too often, people expect depression to look like constant sadness, but in reality, many people manage it while leading full, joyful lives. That rang true for me personally, having family and friends who live with depression. Wes is lighthearted, funny, and warm, but that doesn’t make his depression any less real. It was refreshing to see him open up to Ada about it, and I’m grateful Sage chose to portray it with honesty and care.
While Ada and Wes begin with insta-lust, their relationship evolves into something deeper and more meaningful. The pacing allows readers to watch them truly get to know each other, working through communication challenges and personal obstacles on their path to happiness. The emotional tension throughout this journey makes their eventual triumph all the more rewarding. Their journey to a happily-ever-after felt earned, layered, and incredibly satisfying.
I loved this story. It’s heartfelt, smart, and full of warmth—and it left me eager for more from the Rebel Blue series.
A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, USA Today bestselling author of The Truth According to Ember.
Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone.
Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down.
It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a deal: Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?
Avery Fox, a pop sensation and former child star in the vein of Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, finds herself at the center of a media firestorm after appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone in stereotypical Native American attire. The backlash is swift and unforgiving. In an effort to salvage her image—and perhaps her sense of self—her mother, who also serves as her manager, sends her to stay with the grandmother she’s never met at the family’s Red Fox Ranch in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Avery has never met any of her extended family, so arriving at the ranch is a revelation. She’s stunned to discover a community of relatives who genuinely care about her. There she also meets Lucas Iron Eyes, who has lived and worked on the ranch since he was sixteen. With quiet patience, Lucas introduces Avery to the rhythms of ranch life and the deeper meaning of family, belonging, and identity.
The novel’s portrayal of ranch life and Indigenous family dynamics feels deeply rooted and sincere. It’s a story that matters because it gives space to Indigenous characters living full, nuanced lives, rather than reducing them to symbols or confining them to history. In a genre like mainstream romance, where Indigenous representation is still painfully rare, this book stands out. Too often, cowboy romances romanticize rural life while ignoring the cultures that have always existed on that land. This story doesn’t fall into that trap—it centers Indigenous voices, and that makes for a powerful story.
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
LOVE IS A WAR SONG by Danica Nava.Berkley. (July 22, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593642627. 336p.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • She’s off-limits, but he’s never been good at following the rules.
Discover the sizzling, small-town brother’s best friend romance that went viral on TikTok—now a special edition with an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the series and a Q&A with the author!
“A sweet slow burn . . . sunshine in written form.”—USA Today bestselling author Lana Ferguson
For the first time in her life, Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has no idea what she’s doing. She’s accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape.
Luke Brooks is Meadowlark’s most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.
Emmy’s got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend’s younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames?
I started this series with the last book, Wild and Wrangled, and it was so good that I went back to read the first book in the series. I am planning on reading them all.
Twenty-seven-year-old Clementine “Emmy” Ryder has spent nearly ten years on the barrel racing* circuit, living her dream as a professional rider. Her world comes crashing down when a devastating fall leaves her with a head injury and something far worse—a paralyzing fear of getting back on her horse. Unable to ride without experiencing panic attacks, Emmy makes the difficult decision to return to her family’s Rebel Blue Ranch in Meadowlark, Wyoming, keeping the real reason for her homecoming to herself.
Emmy is surprised to discover that Luke Brooks, the 32-year-old former troublemaker,is working at the ranch, helping out with horseback riding lessons. After facing rejection from his father, stepfather, and biological family, he found acceptance and belonging with the Ryders, becoming best friends with Emmy’s older brother, Gus. Not only does he teach, but he is also the owner of The Devil’s Boot bar, the only fun place to hang out in this small town. Luke has transformed himself from the bad boy Emmy remembers, but despite his changed circumstances, Emmy refuses to believe he’s truly different from the boy who teased her years ago.
When Luke offers to help Emmy overcome her fear and prepare for the upcoming Women’s Professional Rodeo Association tour in Meadowlark, she reluctantly agrees. As they work together, Emmy begins to see past her childhood memories and recognize the man Luke has become. Their growing attraction is complicated by Gus’s longstanding rule that his little sister is off-limits.
As Emmy and Luke’s relationship deepens, real feelings develop between them. Emmy and Luke try to resist, but they end up keeping their relationship a secret. When the truth comes out in a dramatic showdown between Gus and Luke, feelings are laid bare, and everyone is forced to confront what really matters.
Sage brings Meadowlark vividly to life, making the setting feel like another character in the story. With angst, sparks, and strong community ties, this romance blends beloved tropes—small-town charm, brother’s best friend, and enemies-to-lovers—into a fun, emotional read.
*My only complaint about this book is that while Emmy is a professional barrel racer, after reading this book, it wasn’t really clear what that is. A tiny explanation of the sport would have been appreciated!So I Googled, and here is the AI on barrel racing:
Barrel racing is a rodeo event primarily, though not exclusively, for women, where riders race against the clock to complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. It’s known for its speed, skill, and precision, requiring a strong partnership between horse and rider. Women have a rich history in barrel racing, with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) (originally the Girls Rodeo Association) founded in 1948 to provide a platform for women’s rodeo competition.
From New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new story about two women, a family secret and a lost manuscript that changes everything…
Raised by her literary icon father Carson Wells, Alison Wells always felt loved, even though her mother died when she was a teen. But when she takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers she has a sister she never knew about, it’s clear there are things her father didn’t tell her before he died. Determined to meet Juniper—her half sister—and unravel the truth of what happened all those years ago, Ali finds herself taking a job as Juniper’s intern. She’ll eventually figure out a way to tell Juniper the truth of their relationship. But she never could have imagined what would happen next…
Juniper Connolly has always been incredibly healthy…until she wakes up in the hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest, with her new—and recently fired—intern to thank for saving her life. It’s clear June needs to de-stress her life a little, so when Ali offers her the use of her family’s cabin in a small Wyoming town, June has no reason not to go. But when she arrives, her life will never be the same.
Under the wide-open spaces of the Wyoming summer sun, Ali and June will untangle the secrets and lies their lives were built on to discover who they really are and what family really means. But even more than that, they’ll build a real relationship with one another and finally become sisters.
This heartwarming story explores themes of family and second chances through the journey of two unlikely sisters.
When Allison’s famous author father passes away, she discovers through DNA testing that she has a half-sister named Juniper living in Seattle. Fresh out of law school and studying for the bar exam, Allison decides to get to know Juniper before revealing their connection. She secures an internship with Juniper, planning to work alongside her sister while figuring out how to share the truth.
However, Allison proves to be a disaster as an intern. Just as Juniper is about to fire her, she suddenly collapses from a heart attack. Allison’s quick thinking with CPR saves her sister’s life until paramedics arrive.
Facing a long recovery from her heart condition, Juniper needs time away from her high-powered executive lifestyle. Allison seizes the opportunity, convincing Juniper to recuperate at the Wyoming cottage where her father wrote his books—an offer the literary fan can’t refuse. Life on the ranch is a stark contrast to Juniper’s fast-paced world.
The peaceful ranch setting forces Juniper to slow down and confront her new health limitations. As she helps Allison sort through their father’s papers for donation to the university library, she also encounters Beck Hunter, Allison’s neighbor. Beck is a former San Francisco trial lawyer with a formidable reputation, and Juniper initially despises him based on her preconceptions. However, she gradually discovers he’s far more complex and caring than she first believed.
Meanwhile, Allison struggles with finding the right moment to reveal their sisterhood. The truth becomes more complicated as Juniper grows attached to the ranch and its people, particularly Beck. When Allison finally shares their family connection, Juniper is shocked but ultimately able to embrace the news positively, having already formed deep emotional bonds with her new life in Wyoming.
As the sisters navigate their newfound relationship, Allison makes her own romantic discovery—realizing she has feelings for Xander, her childhood best friend who now works as a travel vlogger.
While romance weaves through the narrative, the true heart of the story lies in the sisterhood that blossoms between Juniper and Allison. This charming tale will appeal to fans of Hallmark movies, combining small-town warmth, found family dynamics, and closed-door romance into an engaging read.
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE LOST BOOK OF FIRST LOVES by RaeAnne Thayne.Canary Street Press. (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 9978-1335476067. 352p.
Swoon-worthy romances with lovable characters, loads of humor, and a healthy dose of drama on the way to a happily ever after.
The Blue Moon series by Lucy Score is a contemporary romance series set in the small town of Blue Moon Bend, in upstate New York. Each book features a different couple finding love amidst the quirky, close-knit community, often involving second chances, matchmaking meddling, and plenty of small-town charm. The series is known for its heartwarming, humorous, and steamy romance stories with engaging characters facing real-life challenges.
Blue Moon Bend is a character in itself, with its gossipy, but ultimately loving, residents and a strong sense of community. Rumor has it that a bunch of hippies got lost after leaving Woodstock and settled in Blue Moon Bend, creating a town that many years later is full of aging hippies and every stereotype you can think of associated with that time: VW buses abound, vegetarians, nudity, astrology, vintage clothes, and more.
Each book focuses on a different couple, but they are interconnected through the town and recurring characters and are best read in order (see author’s note about book 7). The series balances lighthearted humor with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of family, forgiveness, and finding love.
“She’s a woman, not the last piece of f**king pie. And yes, I’m calling dibs if it keeps your hands off her.”
Carter Pierce wants to spend his days tending the family farm he inherited, and that’s about it. After a tour of duty and a few bullet holes, he’s looking forward to some peace and quiet in his hometown. Unfortunately, Blue Moon doesn’t believe in peace and quiet. And his nosy neighbors sure as hell don’t know how to mind their own business.
As it turns out, neither does the big city journalist who arrives to interview him for a magazine article. Summer Lentz is out of place with her designer wardrobe and workaholic schedule. She asks too many questions and gets under his skin with her smart mouth and those denim-blue eyes. She’s also typing his family’s story a mile a minute at his kitchen table and sleeping in the bedroom across the hall. Carter’s only chance for peace is to scare her away from farm life so he can go back to his comfortable, solitary existence.
But Summer’s got a stubborn streak and secrets of her own. And once Carter starts pulling at those threads, he’s not so eager to send her packing. Will a nudge from the matchmaking Beautification Committee result in a happily ever after or a homegrown disaster?
From the BookBitch: This is a wonderful introduction to the kooky town and its inhabitants, along with a smart, sexy romance. It was so good I immediately started reading the next book, and the next – I ripped through this series in about a week, and with my vision problems, that was no small feat! These romcoms bring the sweet and the heat, and I was all in. This first book is a close proximity, opposites attract romance and it worked.
“Your kids are great,” he said, changing the subject.
“Don’t be sweet. I can’t resist sweet,” Gianna warned him.
“Your kids are monsters, and I hate your face.”
Beckett Pierce is the most eligible bachelor in the nosiest small town in upstate New York. But after his last girlfriend handcuffed herself to his porch and set his welcome mat on fire, he’s not looking for any more romance.
Especially if it lands right in his own backyard. And has miles of red hair.
Gianna Decker has her hands full—no, overflowing—with problems. With two kids, a useless ex, and a brand new yoga studio, the last thing on her mind is finding a man who’ll demand more of her time.
Fantasizing about her hot, broody landlord? Mistake. Lusting after the sexy mayor of her new town? Terrible idea. Getting naked with the “favorite” son of her father’s new lady friend? N-O. Getting involved with Beckett has disaster written all over it.
Those stolen kisses were accidental. A few moments of strings-free, sizzling passion couldn’t possibly cause any trouble. At least, not until tempers flare when their families complicate things and the interfering citizens of Blue Moon step in with their special brand of chaos.
From the BookBitch: Blue Moon’s “Beautification Committee” is, in essence, a group of busybody matchmakers whose ideal is the pairing off of everyone in town so they all can live their best lives. They often go too far with their shenanigans, but everyone is always forgiven because you can’t argue with results. Great character development throughout the series hooked me, but the romances are what kept me coming back for more.
There are two things Joey Greer is great at: Raising horses and holding grudges. Eight years ago, her high school sweetheart abandoned her, skipped out on his family, and fled to Hollywood of all places. She vowed never to forgive or forget.
Now big-shot screenwriter Jackson Pierce is back in Blue Moon demanding another chance. No place is safe from him. Not the stables. Not the only bar in town. Not even the clawfoot tub on her own deck.
No matter how good it feels when he sneaks past her defenses to land a kiss or a compliment, she is determined to pretend he doesn’t exist. Except maybe when he’s naked in her bed.
Jax can’t tell Joey the truth about the night he left. It would ruin far more than just their relationship. All he can do is sweep her off her reluctant feet with orgasms, flowers, bacon, and a rescue dog. Oh, and maybe handcuff himself to her for charity too.
The Beautification Committee has a few tricks up its devious sleeve where Jax and Joey are concerned. Tricks that will either leave the past in the past or ensure these two lovebirds can never be in the same room again.
From the BookBitch: This is a second chance, enemies-to-lovers romance, and Score nailed it.
“He’s the kind of man who would talk you into dropping your panties in a coat closet at a party, dole out orgasms like after-dinner mints, and then never call you again.”
Photographer Nikolai Vulkov is a love ’em and leave ’em bad boy with a leather jacket, motorcycle, and sexy-as-sin grin.
He is not Emma Merrill’s type. The feisty brewery manager isn’t impressed by Niko’s charm or his “no strings attached” offer. She’s the kind of girl a man settles down with. And the small town of Blue Moon is where she and her sisters have decided to put down roots.
In Niko’s experience, relationships only lead to heartache. Besides, he’s only in town until he finds a way to get his creative mojo back. He and Emma are completely wrong for each other. Even the matchmaking Beautification Committee agrees. They should definitely stay in the friend zone.
Okay. So maybe they gave in to their attraction that one time. Fine. Five times. Who’s counting? But once Emma’s ex-boyfriend shows up in town, she’ll come to her senses, and Niko will go back to New York. Right?
From the BookBitch: This book centered on a newcomer to town, but the Beautification Committee is on top of it. While Niko may have spent years as a man whore, he’s fallen hard and isn’t quite sure how this whole relationship thing actually works, but it’s so much fun watching him figure it out.
“I want to be upfront with you. No surprises, no secrets. I want you, Eva. And I think you might be it for me.”
Romance novelist Eva Merrill is a hot mess running from her past. She doesn’t mind telling a fib or two to protect her secrets and her family. It’s too bad that she moved to the nosiest small town in the world with Sheriff Sexy—the tall, built, human lie detector. He’s showing way too much interest in her and treating every conversation like it’s an interrogation.
Maybe that’s because she accidentally showed him her boobs in the middle of downtown Blue Moon. Or maybe it’s because he thinks she’s about to commit a crime. It’s definitely not that he’s attracted to her. That only happens in her novels.
Donovan Cardona loves his nice, quiet hometown, and he’s got some pretty strong feelings when it comes to a certain klutzy redhead too. But his gut says she’s hiding something. Just when he starts to peel back those layers to get to the naked truth, the entire town loses its collective mind—and inhibitions.
Can he save the girl from her past and the town from itself?
From the BookBitch: This was my least favorite book in the series. It actually reminded me of Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich, where she has a giraffe roaming the streets of New Jersey. This book was equally silly. The premise is that once every thirty-something years, the whole town goes bonkers, due to astrological phenomena and Uranus (but more for the fun of saying it.) Silly, but I did love the romance at the heart of it.
Davis Gates. Naked. Tossing her a handful of orgasms like he was on a lust-themed parade float.
Innkeeper Eden has got it all. Well, mostly. She’s cornered the hospitality market in Blue Moon offering visitors a place to stay in her hippie-dippie hometown. Business is booming, she’s close—but not too close—to family, and she’s got her dogs and her friends to keep her company.
Unfortunately, she also shares a property line with the crush who broke her teenage heart.
Davis spends his days wrestling control of the family winery from his father’s semi-retired hands. He doesn’t have time for things like dating or dealing with his grudge-holding next-door neighbor. Besides, they’re just the latest generation to participate in their families’ fifty-year feud.
When the Beautification Committee resorts to an unprecedented—and disastrous—matchmaking scheme, enemies Eden and Davis join forces to take them down. These two frenemies can survive being fake lovers for a few weeks if it means teaching their neighbors all’s not fair in love and war.
From the BookBitch: Another second chance romance with some forced proximity thrown in, and once again, a terrific read.
“This would be a lot easier if you had a sense of humor.”
“This would be a lot easier if you were a man.”
John Pierce has plans for these two hundred rundown acres. He sees a farm, a family, a future here. He’s not about to drag someone in on the ground floor. Not before he’s put in the work to turn rubble into a home. But his nosy neighbors have other ideas.
Now, he’s saddled with a grad student who was supposed to be a he. But the curvy, opinionated Phoebe is a smart-mouthed woman who seems to do nothing but question his every move. She’s ruining his nice, quiet life. And if she doesn’t finish her thesis and get out of his guest room soon, he’s going to have to scare her off.
Phoebe desperately needs this degree and the money it will bring. What she doesn’t need is this stubborn farmer’s attitude and his pathological need to avoid her. She’s trapped in this tiny hippie town, trying every trick in the book to get the stalwart John to open up. Her future is on the line. Her family needs her. And she’s not going to let a stubborn farmer stand in her way.
Very intense author note: John and Phoebe’s story is a prequel to the Blue Moon series. It follows the heart-warming, hilarious story of how they met, fell in love, and raised their boys together. But do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT read this book first. Read it sometime after book four. I’m protecting your reader experience here. I promise.
From the BookBitch: Totally agree with that author’s note! I was a bit trepidatious about reading this prequel because I don’t always love them, but this turned out to be my favorite book of the series and left me bawling more times than I care to think about. I am the first to admit that I rarely read a series in order, not because I don’t want to, but usually because I hear about a new book and I don’t realize that it is part of a series. That said, this series is best read in order, including this prequel coming in at book seven.
“Just because I don’t run around with a stupid grin on my face all day every day doesn’t mean I’m grumpy.”
Ryan Sosa, grumpy former corporate accountant, has had it up to here with surprises. He didn’t see getting fired coming. And he certainly didn’t anticipate flying across the country to the world’s hippie-est, happiest, most annoying town to save his great-uncle from some mysterious emergency.
Not only is there actual snow on the ground, it also appears that elves on psychedelics have decked Blue Moon’s halls. But he doesn’t have time to be snarky about the impending Winter Solstice and Multicultural Holiday Celebration—whatever the hell that is. Not when he’s got a farm to save, a free-range sheep that he may or may not have nudged with his stupid microscopic rental car, and some small-town veterinarian telling him she can’t take the animal off his hands.
Dr. Sammy Ames has a practice to manage and a fundraising crisis to attend to. She doesn’t have time to deal with a big-city grouch who doesn’t remember being her first kiss ever. Especially not since he wants to dump a sheep named Stan on her. So not happening. No matter how cute—and pantless—Ryan is when he’s drunk.
Besides, as soon as he solves his uncle’s problem, he’ll be on the first flight out of Blue Moon, never to return again.
It will take a Winter Solstice Miracle or perhaps some matchmaking interference from the Beautification Committee to get these two to see eye-to-eye under the mistletoe…unless he’s the wrong Ryan after all.
From the BookBitch: Just what this series needed, a holiday-themed book! I loved how all the holidays were celebrated and how, once again, the Beautification Committee struck gold. Loved it!
From the author: Go back to Blue Moon to find out how our favorite hippie dippy small town was handling the pandemic. And of course I threw in a hilarious little romance… and goats. I also included your suggestions. Deputy Layla and Guidance Counselor Huck are trapped together. Layla is on the verge of being kicked out of her rental for rescuing too many pets. Huck was just given news meant for someone else!
NOTE: This is a fun short story/novella (50 pages) and is available to read for free on the author’s website. I linked to it in the title above.
If you haven’t read the series and want a tiny taste, you can start here, but it is probably better to read it last. That said, this entire series is available through Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited subscription. I got a three month free subscription during Amazon’s Prime Days last month. It doesn’t pay for me to purchase a subscription as I have access to review copies for free, but when they offer a free subscription, I almost always take them up on it and find something good to read, like this series! For a monthly fee ($11.99/month), subscribers can borrow up to 20 titles at a time, enjoying unlimited reading and listening without due dates, as long as their membership is active. It’s a good deal if you like the books they have, many of which are new, bestsellers, etc. I haven’t tried any of the audiobooks – I can’t figure out how that works exactly, and I’m not a magazine reader, so I haven’t bothered with those. But I can see this being a worthwhile subscription if you read at least a couple of books a month.
Ted Lasso meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in this steamy sports romance about an infamous star soccer player who is forced to fake date a Hollywood starlet, only to develop real feelings for her—just as she learns he was pretending and vows to get even.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn…but she’s about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of her breakout role suggests a deep dive for her part by shadowing the head of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she’s ready.
Getting asked out by notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe wasn’t in the plan, but suddenly her research is getting a lot more…hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he’s more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abigail is happier than ever—her name in lights and her heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke’s been coerced into faking their relationship to improve the team’s ticket sales.
Furious, Abigail refuses to give Luke the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. Over-the-top dates, treating his games like fashion shows, and befriending the fan club he hates? Count her in. It’s only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just didn’t expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
If you love “Ted Lasso” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”, this book is tailor-made for you—it cleverly weaves together plotlines from both.
Luke is the archetypal grumpy soccer star with a heart of gold. He’s devoted to his cancer-stricken mother and even fosters kittens in his spare time. Though he plays for Los Angeles, he desperately wants a trade to his hometown of Seattle to be closer to his mom during her treatment.
Abigail is a TV actress recovering from public humiliation, determined to land a career-defining movie role. The film centers on a professional soccer scandal, so producers arrange for her to shadow the female owner of a local soccer team. The team owners see an opportunity: they convince Luke to fake-date Abigail for positive publicity and ticket sales, dangling that coveted Seattle trade as an incentive. Luke agrees—until he actually meets Abigail.
The arrangement becomes complicated when Luke genuinely falls for her. Their first date is magical, but he can’t bring himself to reveal the arrangement’s true origins. As their relationship deepens and social media buzz grows, everyone’s happy with the results. Then Abigail discovers the truth about how their romance began.
Channeling Andie from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” Abigail launches into hilariously over-the-top, cringe-worthy behavior designed to force Luke into breaking up with her. Chaos ensues until Luke finally comes clean about everything, confesses his true feelings, and they find their way to a happy ending.
This is a fun, fast-paced rom-com with plenty of humor, a touch of heat, and a whole lot of heart. It reads like the first in a series, with hints of the next couple waiting in the wings. A quick, light-hearted read that’s perfect for a weekend escape.
American journalist Ethan Fletcher traversed the globe to claim his late uncle’s Fleet Street print shop, only to find his unexpected inheritance is shackled by ruinous debt. To save his business and finally direct his own course, he needs to raise capital, and quickly. Good fortune comes in the form of Belinda Sinclair, the eccentric daughter of a respected London judge—and she just so happens to be a beautiful failure of a novelist.
Bruised by scandal, Belle has spent years writing a gruesome courtroom mystery no respectable publisher will touch. Until she meets Ethan—barely respectable, barely a publisher, but with two broad hands that can work a press and an enterprising spirit that breathes new life into her pages. Emboldened by the prospect of seeing her story in print, Belle agrees to Ethan’s plan: she will transform her grisly manuscript into a serialized penny dreadful, and he will sell it as a means to settle his accounts.
In the close confines of the print shop, Ethan and Belle discover their partnership is conducive to far more than fiction. Helpless to deny their deepening devotion, they dare to compose a future free of his financial burdens and her social constraints. But when a series of punishing obstacles jeopardizes the story they’ve been writing off the page, they must confront how much they are willing to lose… and what it will take to save everything.
This author was new to me, and while the book was published last year, and it made the Washington Post’s list of the best romances of 2024, it’s been sitting in my to-be-read pile ever since. This historical romance was a delightful departure from the typical nobility-focused novels that dominate the genre. Instead of the usual parade of dukes and earls, it centers on ordinary people navigating their extraordinary circumstances—a refreshing change that offers insight into how ordinary people actually lived.
Ethan, an American, arrives in London after he inherits his uncle’s print shop, only to discover he’s inherited crushing debt along with it. Having spent nearly everything on the journey, he faces losing it all unless he can find a way to pay what’s owed.
Belle, the daughter of Justice Sinclair, has an unusual passion: she loves eavesdropping on her father’s courtroom proceedings, drawing inspiration for the gory mystery novel she’s writing. Unfortunately, no publisher will touch her work, and she’s already considered a social outcast after breaking off her own engagement.
When chance brings them together, they strike a mutually beneficial deal. Ethan will serialize Belle’s novel as penny dreadfuls, using the profits to escape his debts. His ultimate dream is starting a newspaper like the one he worked for in Boston, but England’s punishing newspaper taxes make such ventures financially fraught and out of the reach of the masses.
What unfolds is a beautifully crafted story of forced proximity and shared ambition. Working side by side, Ethan and Belle gradually recognize the deepening connection between them. Their relationship develops with tender respect and genuine hope—each shared moment drawing them closer to love, each thought colored by care for the other’s dreams and happiness.
This emotionally rich novel is utterly unforgettable. For readers seeking a love story built on longing, mutual respect, and the slow, authentic unfolding of true connection, this one is a must-read.
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE FINEST PRINT by Erin Langston.Erin Langston (self-published). (September 26, 2024). ISBN: 979-8988316534. 364p.
She returned to prove her father’s innocence, but there’s no telling what she’ll find…
It’s been fifteen years since Lucy Sinclair saw her father. Fifteen long years since she sat in a courtroom and watched him sentenced to life in prison. He murdered three victims—all people she knew—which ruined her life at just seventeen. But now she’s back in Virginia to talk to him, wondering if there’s more to the story of what happened that fateful night.
An old flame, Ford Wagner, makes his own return to North Hampton Beach, fleeing a marriage that seems destined for divorce. He’s wary of Lucy and her digging into the past, but the more time they spend together, the closer they get and the more he finds himself reconsidering the truth behind the death of their mutual friend that summer. Problem is, there are plenty of those in this small coastal town who would prefer things stay quiet…
Lucy was seventeen when her father was convicted of murdering three people in their small town. The conviction shattered her world—the townspeople turned against her, and she felt forced to flee. She hasn’t returned home or spoken to her father in fifteen years.
Now, haunted by unanswered questions about that terrible summer, Lucy decides to return to uncover the truth she’s never understood.
The town has always drawn wealthy summer residents to their sprawling beachfront homes, and Ford is among them this year. He’s come back to prepare his family’s house for sale while grappling with his impending divorce. Fifteen years ago, he and Lucy had shared an intense but brief romance during that fateful summer. Though they’d fallen hard for each other, Ford abandoned Lucy when his family pressured him to cut ties after her father’s arrest—a decision that has haunted him ever since.
When Ford discovers Lucy has returned, his protective instincts flare. The townspeople make their hostility clear, especially as Lucy begins asking dangerous questions about the past. What begins as renewed friendship deepens into something more as Ford joins Lucy’s search for answers.
While a bit slow and somewhat repetitive in the beginning, as the story unfurls, it becomes much more engaging. This second-chance romance weaves together mystery and passion as two former lovers investigate the crimes that tore their world apart. The combination of coastal intrigue and rekindled love creates a compelling story of redemption, truth, and the courage to face the past.
8/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING by Brenda Novak.MIRA (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 978-0778360162. 368p.
A millionaire and a house cleaner are a match maid in heaven in this sparkling new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happily Never After.
As a professional cleaner, Abi Mariano never thought her apartment would have any sort of infestation, but because of a building-wide outbreak, she now needs somewhere to stay for a week. As a part-time student with two jobs, she doesn’t have many options. Then the solution presents itself: the owner of the penthouse she cleans is out of town for the week. She normally wouldn’t consider it, but he’s literally never around (she hasn’t even met him). It goes great…until one morning she finds two strangers in the kitchen. They’re the parents of the penthouse owner and they seem to think they’ve heard all about Abi—not as their son’s maid, but as his girlfriend.
Declan Powell has always put his career first, working his way up to become an executive at his company, but he still has his sights set on the next level. When his parents mention that they met his girlfriend, “Abby,” he all but chokes on his escargot. As wonderful as it sounds that she was just darling, he doesn’t actually have a girlfriend—he made her up to get everyone off his back. When Dex finds out who Abi really is, he makes her a proposition: pretend to date him, and he’ll provide everything she needs during their little arrangement. What harm would it do? It’s purely business, no pleasure…right?
“Painter injects a familiar trope with both levity and genuine emotion. Readers will especially be drawn to Abi, whose smarts and sass make her the perfect match for the more staid but driven Declan. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly
“Filled with laughs and a warmhearted spirit, this quick-reading romance from Painter is a charmer.”—Library Journal
Leave it to Lynn Painter to take the classic billionaire fake-dating trope and turn it into something fresh and magical.
Abi is juggling two jobs—one at a grocery store that offers health benefits and another as an overnight cleaner—while working toward her MFA in creative writing. Her dream is to become a professor who writes on the side, but money is always tight. When she has to leave her apartment for a week and can’t afford a hotel, she comes up with an idea: she’ll stay at the luxurious penthouse she cleans each week. The owner is never there, so what could go wrong?
Everything, as it turns out. On her first morning, she wakes up to find the owner’s parents in the kitchen, happily eating the muffins she baked. They assume Abi is their son’s girlfriend, and before she can correct them, Declan himself walks in. Declan is young, wealthy, and furious to find a stranger posing as his girlfriend. But his parents seem to adore her, and Declan has a crucial weekend ahead: the shareholders’ annual meeting in Omaha, where he hopes to convince America’s richest man (his boss) that he’s ready for a promotion. A girlfriend would definitely add the gravitas he needs.
Abi has $40,000 in student loans, so she asks Declan for the cash and to stay in his apartment for the week. In return, she’ll keep up the charade for his family and accompany him as his pretend girlfriend to the shareholder event. Knowing Abi doesn’t have the means to dress for the occasion, Declan arranges for a stylist and hair and makeup team to help her. When Declan sees the stunning results, he’s speechless. At the function, Abi charms everyone, including his boss.
As they fake their relationship, real feelings blossom. But when Declan’s best friend offers a similar proposition to Abi, she’s hurt and calls the whole thing off—a moment that is reminiscent of a scene in Pretty Woman. Thankfully, Abi and Declan find their way back to each other, leading to a truly happy ending.
While the destination is familiar, the journey is pure delight. Painter delivers another excellent romantic comedy that belongs on your must-read list. A super fun read!
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
MAID FOR EACH OTHER by Lynn Painter.Berkley (July 15, 2025). ISBN: 978-0593638033. 368p.
A Shakespearean Fanfic Spicy Enemies to Lovers Rom Com
Enemies by day. Spicy fanfic author and devoted reader by night.
Things are about to get downright Shakespearean.
All’s fair in love. And war. And fandom.
Financial auditor Micah Mila is used to being the bearer of bad news, and her latest assignment in the local university’s English department has been especially taxing—no thanks to a literature professor who clashes with her at every turn. Thankfully, she has an after-hours escape: reading spicy Shakespearean fanfic.
Professor Aidan Scott is damn good at his job. But Micah has been a thorn in his side since the moment he laid eyes on her—eyes that really like what they see. Yet, with his job on the line, there’s no room for distractions. At least, not beyond the sexy fanfic he secretly writes.
When Micah discovers the man getting under her skin is the writer heating her up, their enemy vibe turns steamy. But with Micah’s audit due and Aidan’s career at risk, separating fantasy from reality becomes more than a little complicated…
Aidan Scott, an English professor with a secret passion for writing steamy Shakespeare fanfiction on a Wattpad-style platform, has an immediate problem when financial auditor Micah Mila arrives at his university. Hired to audit the English department and identify cost-cutting opportunities, Micah poses a direct threat to everything Aidan holds dear—his beloved teaching position and the students who adore his classes.
When Aidan and Micah first meet, sparks fly—but not in a good way. In the elevator, Aidan makes a snide remark about the incoming auditor, unaware that Micah is standing right beside him. The resulting animosity creates an immediate barrier between two people whose substantial egos prevent them from moving past their initial antagonism.
What neither realizes is that they’ve already formed a connection through the very fanfiction site where Aidan publishes his work. In the anonymous comment sections, they’ve found solace in venting about their real-world nemesis, completely unaware they’re confiding in each other. Their online dynamic is playful and open in stark contrast to their tense real-life interactions.
The novel attempts to navigate the enemies-to-lovers trope, working toward an inevitable romantic resolution despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, the execution falls short of its ambitious premise. The character development lacks depth, making it difficult to invest in their constant bickering and eventual romance. Both Aidan and Micah remain frustratingly surface-level throughout most of the story.
While the book includes steamy scenes, they feel more like obligatory additions than meaningful moments that advance the relationship or deepen our understanding of the characters. The romance ultimately ends with a resolution that strains credibility rather than satisfying the emotional journey.
Despite an intriguing setup that cleverly combines academic drama with digital-age romance, this novel disappoints by prioritizing conflict over character growth, leaving readers with a love story that never quite convinces, making for a disappointing read.
Note: I never heard of this imprint, Afterglow Books by Harlequin, and now I will be leery of any other books they publish. Harlequin has several imprints, but this is the first time I’ve felt this way.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
MUCH ADO ABOUT HATING YOU by Sarah Echavarre Smith.Afterglow Books by Harlequin (May 27, 2025). ISBN: 978-1335574992. 288p.
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